Gabby Douglas makes heartbreaking admission over Simone Biles comparisons

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas has revealed bullying is taking its toll on her amid comparisons to ex-Team USA teammate Simone Biles.

Douglas burst onto the scene at London 2012 as a 17-year-old, winning the Team and All-Around events. She then followed it up with Team gold in Rio in 2016 alongside Biles .

However, it was in 2016 that the torch was passed to Biles, who won four gold medals in South America, clinching victories in the Team, Floor, Vault, and the All-Around. Biles withdrew from the Tokyo Games three years ago, denying her the chance to add to her Olympic gold medals haul.

However, she returned to gymnastics ahead of the Paris Olympic Games and the 27-year-old won three gold medals . Biles stood on top of the podium in the Team, Vault, and All-Around events, taking her Olympic gold medals tally to seven.

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She also added a silver medal to her tally in the Floor event, her career 11th at the Games. However, some fans have claimed Biles' meteoric rise has seen Douglas be dropped "like a bad habit."

Douglas has long been supportive of Biles having been teammates - but the 28-year-old addressed the topic in the comments of a TikTok. Douglas claims she has been bullied by the comparisons, that have left her drained.

"That’s ok! Constantly being bullied is very tiring and wearing on me. I just want to live my life and be at peace. Thanks for the love! Definitely needed in this world,' Douglas said. Biles has been open about her admiration for Douglas.

It was Douglas' standout campaign in London 12 years ago that inspired a young 15-year-old Biles. "Growing up, I didn’t see very many Black gymnasts," she told Vogue . "So whenever I did, I felt really inspired to go out there and want to be as good as them. I remember watching Gabby Douglas win the 2012 Olympics, and I was like, 'If she can do it, I can do it.'"

Biles at 27 may not make another Olympic Games. However, there is motivation to continue . The 2028 Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, and Biles is two gold medals off tying the all-time female record. Gymnast Larisa Latynina won nine gold medals, while swimmer Katie Ledecky equalled that in Paris.

Biles has also been very open about her mental health since the Tokyo withdrawal. The American says she takes part in therapy weekly, which helped her stage her inspirational comeback to gymnastics.